Identification of Culex pipiens species and distribution in Calgary, Alberta

Culex pipiens is a global invasive species of mosquito belonging to the genus known as Culex and is a known vector of many parasites and diseases, one of the most prominent being West Nile. Cx. pipiens has two different subspecies found in North America: Cx. pipiens pipiens, which prefers being active above ground and Cx. pipiens molestus which prefers being active below ground. Predictive models utilizing climate change as a factor have predicted Cx. pipiens to expand their habitat range in Canada from the Southern areas of Ontario and British Colombia to majority of Southern Canada. In recent years, Cx. pipiens was detected in Edmonton, Alberta. Beyond the presence of this mosquito, there is no information on subspecies or distribution beyond Edmonton. To assess the distribution of this species, we sampled throughout the city of Calgary, Alberta. In addition, we used previously published methods to assess what subspecies is found in Alberta. The expanding distribution of this mosquito is further discussed considering changing climate and anthropogenic activities in Canada and beyond.